Bobcats Battle Pirates to Hard-Fought Tie

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. - The Georgia College &
State University soccer team (7-1-2, 1-1-1 PBC) scored one goal to
Armstrong Atlantic State University's (5-3-3, 2-1-2 PBC) three, but
the Pirates knocked one in their own goal, making tonight's (Oct.
4) contest at Bobcat Field a 2-2 tie.

Sophomore Mary Rob Plunkett
(Augusta, Ga.) took on her biggest test of the season,
facing 12 shots for a season-high 10 saves, including a number of
diving and leaping efforts.

Armstrong Atlantic wasted little time getting the scoring
started, as its leading goal scorer Kristi Burton knocked in her
11th of the season halfway through the eighth minute. Jennifer
Brian and Bjorg Magnea Olafs set up Burton for the go-ahead strike,
the first goal the Bobcats have surrendered at home this season.

Georgia College's leading scorer Hayley Ferrell
(Hampton, Ga.) answered eight-and-a-half minutes later for
her seventh goal of the season. Freshman Karen Bonilla
(Manassas, Va.) sent a pass to Kayla Emerson
(Fayetteville, Ga.) deep into the right corner. Emerson
worked a cross-pass around a defender and into the box, and Ferrell
re-directed the pass into the empty net left by Pirate goalkeeper
Tracey Mitchell.

In the 21st minute, the Pirates put the Bobcats ahead on a
similar play, as Emerson worked a beautiful cross pass into the
box, and instead of finding the foot of junior Jamie Nevin (Grovetown,
Ga.) she found AASU defender Brian, who in a sliding
attempt to clear instead knocked it past her own goalkeeper, ending
the half at 2-1 GCSU.

As the clock ticked through the second half the confidence rose
for the Bobcats, sighting the first victory in program history over
AASU.

With just under seven minutes left, a ball was sent out of the
box to the left side, finding the feet of the playmaker Burton. She
took her time, sending an arcing shot into the box that Plunkett
punched out, using her entire 6-foot frame. The loose ball made its
way to the right, where Kayley Ralton headed it off the crossbar
and down into the net.

Both teams rode out the final 26 minutes (including both
overtimes) with minimal good scoring chances, AASU out-shooting the
Bobcats 5-1.

The Bobcats are back in action Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. hosting
Georgia Southwestern State University.

The GCSU Department of Athletics sponsors 10 varsity athletic
programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program,
GCSU prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete,
evidenced by the Bobcats' multiple appearances in post-season
competition as well as documented academic success and
community-service involvement. Follow the Bobcats and their
positive impact on the Milledgeville community at
www.gcsu.edu/bobcats.